But the event, organised by the the Mark Jon Bolderson Percussion Foundation, will take place online. It was launched back in 2019, with a memorable festival taking place at the Queen s Hall in Hexham. The foundation is named after Hexham-born drummer Mark Bolderson, who studied at Birmingham Conservatoires. Mark died suddenly in 2017, and the foundation was set up to offer financial support to young percussion students across the North-East. The festival is set to attract leading talent, highlighting the area s best percussionists. Michael Spearman, drummer with Mercury will be appearing on Friday, February 19. Micheal, who has appeared on ‘Later.with Jools Holland’ three times and playing the Other Stage at Glastonbury, is originally from Tynedale is a former Queen Elizabeth High School pupil.